As we work toward the transformation and salvation of our world we must always remember that violent means beget violent ends. Dr. King said: "The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy".

To be a Peacemaker, which is a central calling of the Christian faith, we cannot resort to violent means. We cannot champion the cause of arming ourselves against evil or against any perceived enemy. Our faith is oriented around the axiom that Love is more powerful than evil. Therefore no action which springs from this axiom can be violent in nature. Such actions violate the axiom and run counter to the nature of God. In the end, our commitment is such that we are willing to die for the cause of justice, but never willing to kill or do harm for the cause of justice. Blessed are the Peacemakers!

Question:  What would I actually want to ask Jesus? I'd ask, How are we doing? 
Are we enough? Is there more ignorance than compassion in humanity, or are we lovers gaining momentum? Even when life is hard, like it was for Jesus and Mary, are we ultimately part of a story of salvation rippling out from their story of grace? How can we just remember that? How come I can be shown over and over again, given beautiful messages from Heaven, yet still feel so afraid of poverty and sickness? I guess I would tell him how scared I get, how much I love him, and how much I attempt to embody his love as steward of this creation. I appreciate your page, this is very much how I believe Jesus wants to be known. Thanks, Desiree


Dear Desiree, I am so grateful for your questions. I can't imagine a more relevant and vulnerable inquiry with which to inaugurate these conversations. Thank you for that!

One of the reasons I love your question is that it speaks directly to the idea of hope. What is the trajectory of humanity? Are we, as a species, moving toward or away from our better selves? How do we navigate toward peace in the midst of all the suffering around us? These questions have an existential gravity that is impossible to ignore and that cries out for a human response.

I have never been a big fan of whistling in the dark or of leaning on platitudes in moments of difficulty but let me begin by saying that I am very hopeful about our future. I am keenly aware of the deep suffering throughout the world and of the enormous pain that people are capable of inflicting on each other and on the earth. These are realities and they should not be denied. But they are not the ONLY realities. The modern age has made it very easy to give in to fear and to adopt a pessimistic view of humanity. We are encouraged to take this view hundreds of times every day when we hear of some tragedy or natural disaster, or see the news about soaring crime rates and injustices occurring in every corner of the planet.

Given this context of being inundated with all that is wrong with the world, it is no wonder that so many people mistake this to be the true nature of things. What gets missed, what doesn't make the nightly news, what gives me great reason to be hopeful about where all of this is going are the billions of selfless acts of kindness and grace that occur in the world every day! Humanity at its core is filled with extraordinary light, and this light shines in places and ways every day that are far too numerous to count. In London, a young man stops what he is doing to help an old woman cross the street. In Haiti, children welcome a new friend into their soccer game. In Panama, a compassionate hug is given to a sick man. In Portland, donations are taken for a family in need. On and on it goes every day without mention. The capacity for kindness, generosity and love in people everywhere is beyond comprehension and far outweighs their lapses into selfishness.

There is darkness in the world, but people are good and beautiful. Think about yourself, when you encounter darkness or suffering. Your tendency is to bring light and compassion, is it not? By far, the vast majority of people share that same response. We want to help, we want to soothe and heal and comfort if we can. The modern age has created an interconnected-ness that exposes us to a much wider array of suffering than we knew before. But it also opens our hearts in compassion to reaches we did not know we could attain. 

Fear – your fears and mine – are a part of what it means to be human. It is important to notice our fears because they can serve as a guide into areas where we need to grow or soften. So be kind to yourself when you feel fear. Stop for a moment and breathe. Then move forward in love. Keep shining your light and I'll keep shining mine. It is all there to be seen. We just have to learn a new way of seeing!

Mahatma Gandhi and Michael Jackson may not have much in common, but I credit them both for sharing this insight. Michael said that if you want to change the world you've got to start with the man in the mirror. He rightly understood that change begins with me. If I want the world to be a better place then it begins with me being a better person. Better in whatever arena I find my current challenges to be. Better in the way I treat myself. Better in the way I treat my fellow man. Gandhi said the same thing in what is one of my all time favorite quotes: "Be the change you wish to see in the world". In our pursuit of our best selves, in our pursuit of God, this profound truth rings clear. It speaks precisely to the realms over which each of us has control. I can add honesty to the world by being a more honest person. I can add compassion to the world by being a more compassionate person. I can change the world in the direction of my highest values. I have it in my power to make the world more generous, more kind, more forgiving, more playful, more beautiful, more...you name it! And you have this power too. Go and do likewise.

I'd like to say a few words about the Gospel, and by a few words I mean two. The two words I'd like to say are "You're in". This is the Gospel, this is the good news.

"You're in" describes the orientation that God has toward you. No gymnastics, no penance, no grovelling, no flagellation, no creedal litmus test of any kind. You are welcome in the presence of God exactly as you are.

If you are familiar with the story of the prodigal son you will remember how the father responded when he saw his son returning home. He ran with mad delight toward his son to welcome him home. This is how God sees you...always...full-throttle, belly laughing, sandal-flopping sprint to meet you. This is the nature of God. This is how God sees you. This is the Gospel. This is the good news.